San Diego Airport Parking Cost Per Day: 2026 Rate Guide

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San Diego airport parking cost per day is the daily fee charged to leave your car at San Diego International Airport (SAN), either in an on-airport structure or an off-site lot nearby. Rates at SAN range from about $20/day at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly, an off-site lot Triply sells, to $60/day for on-airport valet, as of 2026. Off-site rates in this guide are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date. Knowing every option before you drive in can save you real money on a week-long trip.

• Official on-airport parking costs up to $40/day at the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Parking Plazas, and valet is $60/day.
• Triply sells two off-site airport lots: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly at about $20/day and Aladdin Airport Parking at about $27/day.
• Both include a free shuttle that runs 24 hours a day.
• Park, Shuttle & Fly is about 50% less per day than the $40 Parking Plaza maximum, and Aladdin is about 34% less.
• Pre-booking an off-site lot is the single biggest way to cut your parking bill at SAN.
• A 5-day trip costs roughly $100 at about $20/day off-site, versus up to $200 at the Parking Plazas and $300 for on-airport valet.

How Much Does San Diego Airport Parking Cost Per Day in 2026?

San Diego airport parking costs between about $20 and $60 per day, depending on whether you park on-airport or off-site. The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority sets official on-airport rates: the Terminal Parking Plazas charge $3 per 15 minutes up to a $40 daily maximum, and valet is $60/day. Off-site lots set their own prices, and pre-booking online holds your space and your rate.

Here is a quick overview of what every driver needs to know before arriving at SAN:

• On-airport parking plazas (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2): $3 per 15 minutes, $40/day maximum
• Valet (on-airport curbside): $60/day
• Off-site airport lots Triply sells (booked ahead): about $20 to $27/day

The gap between on-airport and off-site rates is significant. Parking at an off-site lot Triply sells costs about 34% to 50% less per day than the $40 on-airport parking plazas. For a 7-day trip, that is about $140 to $186 against $280 at the plazas, a difference of roughly $94 to $140. Compare SAN parking rates from about $20/day on Triply and lock in your spot before you leave home.

What Are All the Official SAN Parking Lots and Their Daily Rates?

San Diego International Airport offers on-airport parking managed by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority: two Terminal Parking Plazas, curbside valet and a free cell phone lot. Each serves a different need, from quick convenience to maximum ease. Rates below were checked on the official SAN parking page in October 2026.

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza opened with the new 19-gate Terminal 1 in September 2025 as part of SAN's $3.8 billion redevelopment. It holds 5,200 spaces across five levels and features 185 EV charging ports — the largest EV charging installation at any San Diego Airport structure. Phase 1B construction continues in Spring 2026, adding gates for Air Canada and WestJet, but Terminal 1 parking access is unaffected.

Hourly rates at both parking plazas are $3 per 15 minutes ($12/hour), capped at $40 per day. If you expect to park for more than three hours, you'll hit the daily max. Oversized vehicles must pay for additional spaces. Motorcycles park at standard car rates.

Which Off-Site San Diego Airport Parking Lots Offer the Best Value?

Off-site lots near SAN are almost always cheaper than parking on-airport. Triply sells two airport lots: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B) and Aladdin Airport Parking. They are listed 0.9 to 1.2 miles from the airport, and both include a free shuttle that runs 24 hours a day. Rates shown are for booking ahead online.

Aladdin Airport Parking (2548 Kettner Blvd) is listed 1.2 miles from SAN, about a 5-minute drive. It is a fully indoor garage with self-park and quick-valet options and EV charging. The free shuttle runs 24 hours a day, every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand, and staff help with luggage. It is the pricier of the two airport lots Triply sells, at about $27/day, but still about 34% less than the $40/day Parking Plazas. For a full breakdown of that lot, see our Aladdin Airport Parking Kettner Boulevard guide.

San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lot A at 3405 Pacific Hwy, Lot B at 3275 Pacific Highway) is the lower-priced of the two airport lots Triply sells at SAN, at about $20/day. A reservation for either lot is valid at both. The lot is fenced, well lit and staffed 24/7, with a free courtesy shuttle that runs 24 hours on demand; on return, call 619-291-1234 for pickup. Bookings have a 2-day minimum, and you scan the QR code from your confirmation email on entry and exit. Arriving early or leaving late is charged at the lot's $24.95 per 24 hours flat rate plus a one-time $4.75 Airport Access fee, so book the dates you need.

How Can You Save Money on San Diego Airport Parking?

The biggest savings at SAN come from three moves: book early, book online, and park off-site. Here are the most effective strategies based on current rates.

• Book your exact dates: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly charges its $24.95 per 24 hours flat rate plus a one-time $4.75 Airport Access fee if you arrive early or leave late, so booking the right dates keeps you at about $20/day.
• Compare the two lots: Park, Shuttle & Fly is about $20/day and Aladdin Airport Parking is about $27/day. Aladdin costs more but adds an indoor garage and EV charging.
• Use free cancellation: Triply bookings come with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in, so there is no downside to booking early.
• Avoid peak periods: Summer weekends, Comic-Con week (July), Thanksgiving, and the Christmas-New Year stretch all see higher demand. Book early during these windows.
• Compare on an aggregator: Triply lets you see the SAN airport lots it sells side by side, with rates, shuttle times and amenities, in one place.

For travelers who fly frequently, checking whether your credit card offers travel or parking credits can add up over time. Some cards reimburse up to $25/month in parking fees. That is worth reading the fine print on before your next trip.

Is Parking at SAN or Taking a Rideshare Cheaper for Your Trip?

The answer depends almost entirely on how long you are traveling. For short trips, Uber or Lyft often wins. For trips of four days or more, off-site parking usually beats rideshare on cost.

Cost Comparison: Parking vs. Rideshare vs. Public Transit (5-Day Trip)

• San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (about $20/day): ~$100 total for 5 days
• Aladdin Airport Parking (about $27/day): ~$133 total for 5 days
• On-airport Parking Plaza ($40/day maximum): ~$200 total for 5 days
• Uber/Lyft round trip: Typically $25–$45 each way from central San Diego neighborhoods. Round trip: $50–$90. (Source: current Uber/Lyft estimates from downtown San Diego)
• MTS Route 992 bus: $2.50 each way, 15-minute ride from downtown. Round trip: $5 total, cheapest option if you have no luggage and a flexible schedule. See the Route 992 schedule for current times.

For a 1–2 day trip from a neighborhood like Little Italy, Downtown, or the Gaslamp Quarter, a rideshare is hard to beat. SAN sits just 3 miles northwest of downtown — one of the shortest airport-to-city distances in the U.S. — so ride times are quick and fares stay low. But for anything longer than three days, pre-booked off-site parking almost always wins on total cost.

Public transit is cheapest by far but only practical if you're traveling light and flying from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 during the MTS 992's operating hours. The free San Diego Flyer shuttle also connects both terminals to the Old Town Transit Center, where you can catch the Trolley or COASTER commuter rail.

What Should You Know About Shuttle Service, Wait Times, and Terminal Access?

Both airport lots Triply sells at SAN include a free shuttle that runs 24 hours a day. But shuttle frequency differs, and that matters when you have an early flight or a late arrival.

• Aladdin Airport Parking: Every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand, 24 hours, with luggage help
• San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B): On demand, 24 hours; call (619) 291-1234 for return pickup

Both lots run their shuttles around the clock, so early departures and late arrivals are covered. Park, Shuttle & Fly recommends arriving 2 to 3 hours before your flight so you have time to park, check in and board the shuttle. Aladdin asks you to allow time to park, process your reservation and board the shuttle before the 2-hour mark.

Aladdin's shuttle serves the airport terminals, and Park, Shuttle & Fly's runs to and from the airport. The new Terminal 1 opened fully in September 2025 and has its own dedicated road network, including dual-level arrivals and departures. Traffic flow has improved significantly since the old terminal was demolished. Still, check real-time traffic on Waze before you head out, especially on busy travel days.

If you fly Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Breeze, or Sun Country, your terminal is Terminal 1. Alaska and American use Terminal 2 East. International carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines, KLM, and Delta use Terminal 2 West. Knowing your terminal helps you pick the closest on-airport lot. For Terminal 2 specifics, see our guide on San Diego Airport Parking Terminal 2 rates and options.

Once at the airport, TSA PreCheck can cut your security wait significantly. Shorter lines mean you don't need to arrive as far in advance — which reduces how long you pay for parking.

How Do You Reserve San Diego Airport Parking in Advance?

Reserving in advance is straightforward and almost always saves money. Here's how to do it step by step.

1. Compare options: Use Triply's SAN parking search to see the airport lots Triply sells, with rates, shuttle times and amenities side by side.
2. Pick your lot: Choose between San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly and Aladdin Airport Parking based on price, amenities and your flight time.
3. Book online: Complete your reservation to lock in your rate for the dates you chose.
4. Save your confirmation: Screenshot it or print it. Park, Shuttle & Fly scans the QR code from your email on entry and exit, and Aladdin checks you out at the garage office with your email confirmation and entry ticket.
5. Know the cancellation policy: Triply bookings come with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

For on-airport parking, you can pre-book directly at san.org/parking. On-airport pre-booking guarantees a space but does not usually offer a price discount, and the parking plazas still run up to $40/day. The real savings come from off-site pre-booking. For more detail on the reservation process, our San Diego Airport Parking Reservations guide walks through every option.

Find the Lowest San Diego Airport Parking Cost Per Day for Your Trip

San Diego airport parking costs range from about $20/day (off-site at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly) to $60/day (on-airport valet). For most travelers, a pre-booked off-site lot with a free 24-hour shuttle delivers the best mix of price and convenience. If you would rather stay on-airport, the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Parking Plazas cap at $40/day. Whatever you choose, booking in advance is the most reliable way to hold your space and your daily rate at SAN.

Search and compare SAN airport parking rates on Triply, with lots from about $20/day, a free 24-hour shuttle and free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

Compare SAN parking rates. Off-site airport lots Triply sells near San Diego International cost about 34% to 50% less per day than the $40/day Terminal Parking Plazas.